AIR.L Regulatory News (AIR)

13 June 2018

Air Partner plc opens Los Angeles office as it continues to strengthen US offering

Air Partner plc ("Air Partner" or "Group"), the global aviation services group, is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in Los Angeles ("L.A."), in line with its strategy to grow its geographical footprint.

The office, which opened on 4 June 2018, will service southern California and the broader West Coast markets, strengthening Air Partner's existing US network, which includes New York, Fort Lauderdale and Washington D.C.

The announcement of the L.A. office coincides with Air Partner reporting strong trading in the US as part of its Full Year results, released on Monday 11 June 2018. The Group's US-based Commercial Jets, Private Jets and Freight charter divisions all performed well.

Air Partner's Private Jets business reported an 80% rise in overall US customer numbers, driven by last year's New York office expansion, the recruitment of new management, and the Air Partner JetCard being recognised as the most flexible US membership programme by independent aviation consultancy Conklin & de Decker for the fourth consecutive year. Meanwhile, the Commercial Jets and Freight divisions were kept busy responding to customers' needs in the face of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which hit the US and the Caribbean in September.

Air Partner's product offering has seen strong demand on the west coast, particularly for its Private Jets product, which offers exceptional customer service. A full 24-hour flight operations centre ensures customers have instant, year-round access to the Group's services, wherever they are in the world and whatever the time.

Commenting on the expansion, Mark Briffa, CEO of Air Partner, said: "We are delighted to have opened an office in Los Angeles, providing local Air Partner representation to our established customers, and enabling us to deliver our services the length and breadth of the West Coast. Expanding our North American presence is a natural progression for Air Partner, as we see significant potential for growth given the diversity of industries that would benefit from our services and capabilities in Private Jets, Commercial Jets and Freight.

Air Partner's Los Angeles office will also introduce JetCard, our seamless private jet solution, to the West Coast private client and business communities. Offering fixed hourly rates, guaranteed availability, a global reach and no monthly management fees or fuel surcharges - while also being fully refundable on demand - we are confident that JetCard will be a key driver in growing our share of the US private jet market."

Air Partner's service offering includes air charter, private air travel solutions, specialist travel management, emergency planning, aircraft remarketing and aviation safety consultancy and training, including air traffic control and wildlife management.

ENDS

About Air Partner:

Founded in 1961, Air Partner is a global aviation services group that provides worldwide solutions to industry, commerce, governments and private individuals. The Group has two divisions‎: Charter division, comprising air charter broking and remarketing; and the Consulting & Training division, comprising the aviation safety consultancies, Baines Simmons, Clockwork Research and SafeSkys, as well as Air Partner's Emergency Planning Division. For reporting purposes, the Group is structured into four divisions: Commercial Jets, Private Jets, Freight (Charter) and Consulting & Training (Baines Simmons, Clockwork Research, SafeSkys and Air Partner's Emergency Planning Division). The Commercial Jet division charters large airliners to move groups of any size. Air Partner Remarketing, which is within the Commercial Jet division, provides comprehensive remarketing programmes for all types of commercial and corporate aircraft to a wide range of international customers. Private Jets offers the Company's unique pre-paid JetCard scheme and on-demand charter. Freight charters aircraft of every size to fly almost any cargo anywhere, at any time. Baines Simmons is a world leader in aviation safety consulting specialising in aviation regulation, compliance and safety management. Clockwork Research is a leading fatigue risk management consultancy. SafeSkys is a leading Environmental and Air Traffic Control services provider to UK and International airports. Air Partner is headquartered alongside Gatwick airport in the UK. Air Partner operates 24/7 year-round and has 20 offices globally. Air Partner is listed on the London Stock Exchange (AIR) and is ISO 9001:2008 compliant for commercial airline and private jet solutions worldwide. www.airpartner.com